DBD Team

In our twenty years as a firm, we've seen changing economic conditions, changing laws and changing donor behavior. Today, there are even more changes at hand that will provide both challenges and opportunities for savvy nonprofits. 

We live in uncertain times, with constant social, political, and economic shifts. During the American War of Independence Lord Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington at Yorktown while the British band played the tune “the world turned upside down”. The most powerful army in the world had just been defeated by the American patriots. It must have indeed seemed like the world was upside down.

Today, nonprofit leaders may feel similarly challenged, as the funding and practices they have counted on in the past may no longer be available in the same ways. Whether you work in a nonprofit or volunteer as a board member, navigating uncertainty is part of the job description. Strategic management of resources is key to managing these uncertainties and ensuring your organization’s ability to fulfill its mission.

In the aftermath of a natural disaster, timely, clear, and compassionate communication is essential for nonprofit organizations seeking to raise support for recovery efforts. Whether you are in this situation now or in the future, here are things to consider to help you stay connected to your donors – both immediately after you have assessed the damages, and in the months following as you continue to rebuild.

Where to start 

Once you have assessed the damages and identified urgent community needs, it's time to initiate your communications. But don’t wait too long. You don’t have to have all the answers before you start to reach out. Prioritize transparency and urgency in your outreach, while also offering hope and tangible ways for donors to make an impact. Early communications should focus on immediate needs and establish a foundation for ongoing updates as recovery efforts continue.

Everyone agrees that stewardship is important, but too often it drops to the bottom of the priority list for busy nonprofit professionals. Here are five overlooked ways to say thanks all year long.

Bruce Berglund, CEO and Founder of DBD Group and Jon Kidwell, CEO of Leadwell, discuss the concept of servant leadership. In this 20 minute podcast, they define servant leadership and offer strategies to employ it in your own leadership roles. 

Learn more about Leadwell and Jon, or check out his book.

Learn more about Bruce Berglund, CEO and Founder of DBD Group or follow him on LinkedIn.

Bruce Berglund, CEO and Founder of DBD Group interviews Cory Scheer, Founder of TrustCentric about the role of trust in leadership. In this 35 minute conversation, they talk about strategies to measure, build and repair trust in teams and organizations. 

Learn more about TrustCentric and Cory Scheer, or check out his new book.

Learn more about Bruce Berglund, CEO and Founder of DBD Group or follow him on LinkedIn.

By Robyn Furness-Fallin and Kali Righter

According to a recent report released by Soraya Alexander, Classy President & GoFundMe COO, Gen Z might just become one of the most charitable generations yet. She states, “While they aren’t giving the same amounts older generations are, they have the largest growth potential. This shows just how important giving back is to younger generations. They vote with their dollars and are willing to make sacrifices to give to the causes they believe in.”

The recent GivingUSA report for 2022 showed just that.

As we move into the last quarter of the year, the focus for many nonprofit organizations is on year-end fundraising. But before you ask for more, have you properly shown gratitude for all you’ve received?

One of our axioms is “Keep learning, stewarding, and sharing.” We’re big believers in the power of books.  

Sure, we’ve got a few good suspense and historical fiction novels on our bedside tables, but today we’d like to share a few non-fiction gems that have inspired us for work – and life.

By Robyn Furness-Fallin and Nathan Sprenger